Rep. Vasquez Introduces Bipartisan Waste Heat to Wattage Act to Lower Utility Bills for New Mexican Families and Businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On January 22, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) introduced the Waste Heat to Wattage Act to lower utility costs for New Mexicans, especially in rural areas where energy costs are high and resources are limited. 

“Utility bills have skyrocketed to an unacceptable level, and we need creative solutions to bring them back down for New Mexicans,” said Rep. Vasquez. “This bipartisan bill is a smart, commonsense step forward to boost energy efficiency, lower costs, and support businesses, especially in rural New Mexico.”

Every year, American industries produce large amounts of energy in the form of excess heat and pressure. Factories, power plants, and other facilities vent this wasted energy into the air, despite the fact that this energy can be captured and converted into electricity. 

Rep. Vasquez’s Waste Heat to Wattage Act facilitates waste energy recovery as a commonsense opportunity to:

• Lower costs for businesses by improving energy efficiency.
• Create new revenue streams for rural manufacturers and agricultural processors.
• Boost rural communities by expanding access to federal energy programs without requiring new fuel inputs.
• Cut pollution by turning waste byproducts into usable power.

The bipartisan bill — which amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to recognize waste energy recovery as renewable energy under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) — is co-led by U.S. Representative Jim Baird (IN-04) and endorsed by the Heat is Power Association and Kanin Energy. By unlocking this technology for REAP and other USDA programs, the bill strengthens rural economies, reduces business’ energy costs, limits pollution, and enhances America’s energy security.

“I am proud to join Rep. Vasquez in introducing this important legislation to help lower costs for businesses while improving energy efficiency,” said Congressman Baird. "Every day, businesses and industries release excess heat into the air, wasting energy that could instead be converted into electricity. This legislation allows businesses to harness this energy and reduce waste. It will also benefit rural communities by improving energy use, expanding access to federal energy programs, and lowering energy costs.”

“The Waste Heat to Wattage Act will help rural communities turn wasted energy into affordable electricity,” said Jennifer Schafer, Executive Director, Heat is Power Association. “By making waste energy recovery eligible under USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program, this bill will provide farmers and industries with funding to deploy proven technologies that generate 24/7, emission-free electricity – lowering energy costs and improving reliability. We thank Representatives Vasquez and Baird for their leadership and support of the waste heat to power industry.”

“We applaud Representatives Vasquez and Baird for introducing the Waste Heat to Wattage Act. This bipartisan legislation recognizes waste heat to power as a proven, reliable energy solution that strengthens rural economies and lowers energy costs,” said Janice Tran, CEO of Kanin Energy. “By capturing energy that would otherwise be wasted, manufacturers and small businesses can generate clean, 24/7 baseload power — improving efficiency and helping U.S. industry stay globally competitive.”

Rep. Vasquez’s work to lower utility bills for New Mexicans is a core component of his Affordability Agenda — a concrete plan to make life more affordable for working class New Mexicans. He has also stood up against the Administration’s reckless policies that are raising utility bills, including the Department of Energy’s decision to cut $135 million for next-generation energy projects in New Mexico and the Republican tax law that cut incentives for energy projects in order to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. 

In December 2025, as New Mexicans braced for the coldest winter months, Rep. Vasquez successfully fought the Administration’s withholding of critical Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds, ensuring seniors, veterans, working parents, and families in rural and Tribal communities were able to afford to stay safe and warm this winter.

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